Ten things you need to know about the Pomeranian dog breed before you buy one

The Pomeranian is a small dog breed of the spitz type, and one of the most popular tiny dog breeds in the UK. They’re also the 12th most popular dog breed in the UK overall, and every year, thousands of people begin to explore the breed with a view to learning enough about them to make an informed decision about their suitability as pets.

Pomeranians have a lot to recommend them to people seeking a new small dog to join their families, but it is important to do plenty of research into the breed and its core traits before you start shopping around for a breeder to buy a puppy from.

If you’re just starting out with your research into Pomeranians with a view to ruling them in or out of your dog breeds shortlist, this article will help to give you some pointers on things to explore in more detail.

Read on to find out ten things you need to know about the Pomeranian dog breed – before you buy one.

The Pomeranian is a toy dog breed

The Pomeranian is a toy dog breed, which has long been prized as a lapdog and companion for many different types of owners. They possess all of the core toy dog traits, such as a high level of loyalty and a very loving nature, and they are at their happiest when with the people they love.

However, as is the case with all toy breeds, Pomeranians need to be treated as dogs and not babies, and be provided with the appropriate lifestyle for a dog, including walks, the appropriate diet, and proper training.

They’re also one of the most intelligent dog breeds

Pomeranians are highly intelligent dogs, being ranked 28th out of almost 140 different dog breeds in Stanley Coren’s list of dog breeds ranked by working intelligence. This is a somewhat unusual trait in a toy dog breed, and means that Pomeranians are quick witted, fast learners that are inquisitive and curious about the things going on around them.

Pomeranians have very thick, plush coats, which need a lot of attention

Pomeranians have a very typical spitz-type coat, which is hugely dense and plush and that can be very thick and deep a well. This means that keeping the dog’s skin and coat healthy and in good condition can take up a lot of time, and despite the small size of dogs of the breed, their daily grooming requirements are quite onerous.

…Which also means they tend to wilt in the heat

A very thick coat provides superior insulation in cold weather, and Pomeranians aren’t one of the toy breeds that more or less always need to wear coats and booties in the winter to keep them warm enough.

However, this does mean that dogs of the breed often find hot weather very challenging, and their owners need to make a special effort to provide shade, keep the dog cool, and prevent overheating.

Pomeranians can be very expensive to buy

Pomeranians are actually one of the most expensive dog breeds to buy, despite their small size. Based on the average asking prices listed by Pomeranian sellers on Pets4Homes, pedigree Pomeranians change hands for around £1,536 on average, and even non-pedigrees attract average prices around the £887 mark, which is more than pedigree examples of many other competing breeds.

This does mean that not all prospective owners have the budget to buy a Pomeranian, and this is something to consider before you research the breed any further.

They’re playful, but not overly challenging to exercise

Pomeranians are fun loving, playful and like to have something to do, and they’re quite busy little dogs in many ways. However, due to their small size, they are not hugely challenging to exercise, and will usually be fine with at least two brisk daily walks of around half an hour long each, as well as chances to play off the lead and socialise with other dogs.

Pomeranians can be very vocal

Pomeranians do tend to like the sound of their own voices, and they are usually quick to bark for attention or for any other reason that enters their heads! This can be a problem and something that many owners have to work hard to manage, but on the plus side, it does also tend to mean that dogs of the breed make for naturally good watchdogs.

They have a surprisingly high prey drive

Pomeranians have quite a high prey drive for a toy dog breed, and will often pursue small wildlife or even cats when out on walks. Training a Pomeranian for reliable recall is vital, and if the dog’s recall responsiveness is less than perfect, they must be kept on a lead when outside of enclosed spaces, and muzzled when running freely to protect wildlife.

The breed has quite a long list of health challenges

Most Pomeranians are robust little dogs that are less delicate than they look, but there are quite a lot of hereditary health issues that can present within the breed as a whole. These include syringomyelia and Chiari-like malformation of the skull, both of which are serious conformation defects that have a significant impact on the dog’s quality of life.

Researching the breed’s health and available health tests is vital before you can make an informed decision about what dog to buy.

Pomeranians are a popular choice with first-time dog owners

Pomeranians are often a good choice of dog for the first-time dog owner, as they are small, fairly middle of the road in terms of their core traits, and more intelligent than most other small dog breeds too.

However, Pomeranians aren’t right for everyone, and smart dogs need adaptive and forward-thinking owners to get the best out of them and harness their core traits in the appropriate manner.

Meet and talk to some other Pomeranian owners before you make a decision on a purchase, and do plenty of independent research too before you pick out a puppy to buy.